‘Extremely sorry’
An "extremely sorry" Jofra Archer has been forced out of the second Test against the West Indies at Old Trafford after breaching bio-security protocols.
The nature of Archer's breach was initially unclear, but the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have since confirmed the fast bowler returned to his flat in Hove en route from Southampton - where the first Test was played - to Manchester.
Players undertook the journey in separate cars and were instructed not to stop en route anywhere other than pre-approved rest stops.
"Archer will now commence five days of isolation and will undergo two COVID-19 tests in this period, which have to test negative before his self-isolation period is lifted," the ECB said in a statement.
"I am extremely sorry for what I have done," said Archer, who was part of the team that lost the series opener.
"I have put, not only myself, but the whole team and management in danger. I fully accept the consequences of my actions, and I want to sincerely apologise to everyone in the bio-secure bubble.
"It deeply pains me to be missing the test match, especially with the series poised. I feel like I have let both teams down, and again I am sorry."
The Tests between England and West Indies are being played in tightly-controlled bio-secure 'hubs', with players and staff staying in hotels that are attached to the two venues in use for the series, the Rose Bowl in Southampton and Old Trafford in Manchester.
Former England captain Nasser Hussain is not impressed by Jofra Archer after the fast bowler was found in breach of novel coronavirus bio-secure protocols in the lead up to the 2nd Test against West Indies in Manchester.
"It is naive and silly to get it wrong because of the effort that's gone in, and the health risk - this is a serious illness and you cannot risk infecting anyone," Nasser Hussain told Sky Sports.
"We don't know if it was just a naivety from Jofra or if it was something more serious. He has apologised, it is a very unusual situation that we all find ourselves in and he's made a mistake."
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